January 2012

The first line of every newsletter is such a challenge. I sit here and struggle to find just the right opening. This one is no exception – so I’ll just fall back to the boring but still heart felt

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a year filled with

good health, good times and good memories.

Now that the hustle and bustle of holiday knitting is past, it’s time to make something for ourselves. To that end, Barb and I have started 2012 by casting on a new sweater – namely Bluebird by Drops Design.
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=5269&lang=us
I’m using the Sublime Cashmere/Merino/Silk dk in navy; Barb is using the Sandnes Alpakka in green. Be it known that I did a gauge swatch – now let’s see if my math and measurements were correct.

Snadnes Alpakka Just before Christmas we received a shipment from Nordic Yarns. It contained new colours of the Sandnes Alpakka as well as Lanett. Also included was a restock on the delightful baby books from Lanett Sandnes! Such beautiful yarns and patterns inspired us to bring in an additional line of baby yarn from Sandnes. (Mandarin Petite, which also has delightful adult summer top patterns!) For once, I can’t wait for spring!

Remember the Stitch & Pitch event last July? Not to be outdone, hockey has gotten in on the fun with its Pucks ‘n Purls event. This will be held Saturday afternoon, February 11, 2012, at the Ricoh Coliseum for a Toronto Marlies vs. Hamilton Bulldogs game. Tickets are $20 each, and I’m told there will be prizes, drawings, Duke the Dog yarn tossing, and a free skate on the Marlies’ home ice. For more information, visit www.marlies.ca/pucksnpurls. If you order your tickets using the “Never Enough Wool” link, the store gets a bit of promotional value. Barb will be taking her young son to this game, and hopes many of you will join her.

Looking forward to the year ahead, Barb and I are busy planning for our annual Knit in Public day (June), Stitch & Pitch (July or August), and the Waterloo Knitters Fair (September) to name a few. There may well be more fun days and events planned, once we get our brains started.

And what about New Years Resolutions? Barb and I made one each this year – Knit More! (Did you really expect anything less?) Do you have any knitting resolutions?

Thanks, again, for all your support and encouragement over the last year. Here’s to 2012 – from Barb and I.

Projects:

Socks anyone? – While we won’t be attempting a pair of socks every month, we will be talking about sock designs every month. This month I’ve found Achilles’ Heal from the winter issue of Knitty
(http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwbis11/PATTheal.php).
I really like the unusual construction of these socks, and especially the idea of a replaceable heel. Throw in a bit of patterning, and these charmed me right off my feet. I haven’t quite decided what yarn to use, but I certainly can see myself knitting them!

We attempt to keep our class fees at the lowest possible rates. In order to do so, we ask that our students purchase their supplies here at the shop. In addition, we offer class discounts to our students. Please note that if you are not able to finish your project in the allotted time, you are welcome to continue attending the lesson times until you are finished.

Charts – We’ve dabbled a bit with charts in the past, but this class will take you to the next step. Learn to read a chart detailing cables and lace, as well as colour. Please note that this class does not specifically offer a finished project – just a clearer understanding of how to read charts and why they are so helpful. Each week there will be an explanation and exercise to help you firmly fix the knowledge into your brain. Cost is $20, and begins Jan. 10. Please bring two colours of yarn/wool and an appropriate pair of needles for the first class.

Winter Spice – Treat yourself to a delightful and stylish circle cardigan. This design can be found in the November 2011 Creative Knitting on page 45. It starts in the centre back with a chart (hence our beginning in February), and then continues out to the fronts and sleeves. It is a truly unique construction technique, and we see similar designs in all the stores and magazines this fall. The store sample is only lacking sleeves as of today, so stop by to get a preview of the finished project. We will begin February 7, and continue until you’re finished. Cost is $20, plus materials.

Sit ‘n Stitch: Every Wednesday afternoon, from 1 until 3. Bring your latest project and join us for some stitching, questions answered, tea, and lots of laughter. Everyone is welcome!

Saturday Stitching: Every Saturday, from 2 until 4. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than with friends both new and old, some handwork, and some tea?

Knitting Night: Every Thursday, from 7 until 9. Although it’s called Knitting Night, crocheters are encouraged and welcomed. There is plenty of friendship, tea, and yummy goodies for all.

NEWSLETTER

January 2012